The oasis of Qatif is one of the most fertile regions in Eastern Saudi Arabia. It has majority of Shia Muslims. This area is the largest producer of Petrol - the Black Gold that keeps the Saudi Economy running. Being a key ally of America and European Union, its rulers hardly face any real criticism for the violations of its Human Rights.

Casual reports as face-savers are churned out sometimes and
crocodile tears are often shed in western press to pull the wool over
the eyes of vigilant globe watchers. On February 19, 2014 the
government forces, supported by armed vehicles, reportedly stormed
the town of 'Awamiyah' as a part of fresh crackdown on anti-regime
protests.

In
Focus

Earlier, Saudi court had sentenced seven people to jail for 20
years for taking part in protests in Qatif. Two persons were killed
by armed forces in the latest crack-down. Thousands of people had
taken to the streets in the Qatif governorate of Eastern Province to
mourn the death of these two anti-government activists. The funeral
procession in the town of Awamiyah turned into an anti-government
protest.

The protesters held the Riyadh government responsible for the
killings. Demonstrators called the day 'the Bloody Thursday,?
denouncing the authoritarian royal rule and calling for democracy.
Human rights groups have called on Saudi authorities to release the
detainees. Saudi Arabia has strictly banned any gatherings across the
kingdom since then.

Saudi Arabia is an absolute Wahabi-Monarchy where authorities do
not allow any political or human right associations. In June, 2012
prosecutors arrested one activist Ra'if Badawi on the charge of
operating the Saudi Liberals website, deemed insulting to Islam.
Thirty five Christian Ethiopian men and women arrested in December
2012 for ?illicit mingling? during a religious service and had
been deported.

The Shia Muslims are Official discriminated in jobs and business.
They are not allowed to follow their peaceful religious practices and
education. The country follows the Wahabi Ideology and their
interpretation of the "Holy Book" and the Traditions (in which
the regime believes) are the basis of their justice system. There is
no written Constitution.

On July 2012, the authorities had arrested Shaikh Nimr al-Nimr, a
prominent shia cleric. Security forces have killed (officially) at
least 13 Shia in protests since 2011. Protesters demanded the release
of Shia prisoners and an end to their discrimination.

Not only Shias but the ordinary Muslims who are unwilling to
follow the Salafi-Wahabi system of justice are regularly punished and
incarcerated. Hundreds of Saudis in Buraida, the central town of
Saudi Arabia including about a dozen in a Riyadh shopping mall
demonstrated for the release of long-term detainees without trial.
University and public security forces in March intervened to quell a
protest by female students in King Khaled University, leaving at
least one woman dead.

Human Right activist Omar al-Saeed was sentenced for 4 years in
prison and 300 lashes. He had called for the removal of abslute
monarchy. Earlier, Fahad al-Qahtani and Abdullah Hamid were also
sentenced to prison for 10 and 5 years on charges of "breaking
allegiance with the ruler" and running an unlicensed political
organization.

It is so surprising that that American media never pressed its
administrative officials on these persecutions. The west is more
concerned with Syria, Iran and North Korea. They failed to act and
didn't take concrete action against the military rulers of Egypt
after the overthrow of a democratically elected leader.

Saudi Arabia is the biggest supporter of the military government
of Gen Sisi in Egypt. Despite its human rights abuses US sells the
military weapons, including standoff land attack missiles and
anti-ship harpoon missiles capable of being fired from US-made F-15s
and F-16s to Saudi and the UAE.

In fact Saudi Arabia and the other Monarchies of Middle East are
the important players and pivotal in view of US foreign policy. They
are to back bone to economic interests of the West. Their supports to
these absolute monarchies remind the blind support west had provided
to the apartheid government of South Africa.

Obviously strategic
interests take precedence over injustice anywhere. West would cry
violation of human rights in any country with the exception of the
regimes subservient to their Interests. Half-hearted of condemnations
of these so called Guardians of Human Dignity and Freedom have little
effect on human rights abuses around this globe.

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